leonchaiphotography.com | Page 11 of 75 |

Sarah & Paul Married. Music Garden, Palais Royale Toronto

Gi is dying inside to shoot. We had a plan this year where Gi was going to shoot a good amount of weddings with me for half the day and Kevin was going to tag her out (total win win for me… I literally get the best of both worlds). But admittedly it’s been tough, since Gi works crazy hours during the week and has the never-ending job as a Mom… I know she’s tired… even if she won’t admit it to me. So I called the selfless shot and pulled Gi off most of our jobs for now. So this shoot was extra fun for me as it was one of the events that I got to work with her.

Gi and I started the day together as we met Sarah and Paul at The Music Garden where they had the first reveal. The weather was so hit and miss that day…off and on rain but luckily for us, the rain stopped just in time. We met with Paul and all the guys first and got some pics in while we waited for Sarah to arrive. When Sarah arrived, we set Paul up for their first look and it was awesome. We tried to work fast to beat the rain and worked with the Music garden location, which was perfect. Everyone in the wedding party was great and super easy going. It was sweet to see Sarah’s Mom in the wedding party, as I know they are very close.

We headed to Palais Royale and when we arrived it started to pour but cleared up just in time for their beautiful ceremony. Paul and Sarah had these awesome vows written for each other and it was sweet that they had gifts for their grandparents. The evening was perfect with heartfelt speeches, great food and a live band.

I want to thank Gi and Chris Chan for shooting this event with me. I also want to sincerely thank both Sarah and Paul for having us capture your beautiful wedding. Here are a handful of pics we selected to share your story while we edit the rest. Thanks!

Your Friend, Leon Chai

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A Lifestyle Photo Session for Mom.

I love working with babies… and if I had to choose a favorite age of a child to capture… I flipping love the toddler stage… so cute and just genuine. What I also find fantastic and have a soft spot to capture are shoots like these, when children grow up and set up these shoot for their parents. This shoot was a gift to the Mom and was set up by her daughter. On the day of the shoot, we met up at the sister’s home where they had a beautiful spot that was perfect for pics. We kept the approach as always a lifestyle shoot and worked in some portraits. Everyone was game and willing to do anything which made this shoot fun. I want to thank Natalia for contacting me and for setting this shoot up.. you are super kind. Wishing you all the best with med school!

Your Friend, Leon Chai

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A Photo session gift to their grandparents.

This was fun. What was sweet about this shoot, aside from the fact that the kids gifted this session to their parents, was that the grandparents were so into the shoot. We all decided to meet up at Richmond Green where I met all of the family and the grandparents. While the focus was for the grandparents to have pics with their grandchildren, I wanted to get all the family into a good handful of shots… since everyone was there.

The grandparents of this family are awesome and they basically had a blast playing with their grandchildren and just having fun with the kids. I want to thank my friend Debbie for gifting this to her in-laws and for all the support she’s given us in the past – thank you so much!

Your Friend, Leon Chai

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Mihaela & Armin Married. Humber Bridge Wedding

We’re almost caught up blogging our September weddings (I think we shot 6 that month?)… so just a few more to go and we should be good =) Mihaela and Armin’s wedding was one that was memorable to us. In the morning, I started off at Mihaela’s place where she was getting ready. Walking in their home I was instantly greeted with one of the warm faces and offerings of food and drinks. Mihaela looked beautiful as always and overall things were pretty calm on my end. We waited for Armin to arrived and do a reveal / pick up his wife before we all headed off to the Humber bridge for pics.

When Kevin and I got to the Humber Bridge, parking was pretty insane that day as everyone was out enjoying the gorgeous weather. The CNE air show was also happening next door making for tons of spectators and loud overhead noise. Kevin and I worked our best despite all the people and got in some pretty cool shots with the planes as you’ll see. We headed to Le Treport right after where they had their beautiful ceremony following their reception. It was great to see a handful of friendly faces especially my friends Will and Nev… as this wedding shoot wouldn’t have happened for us if it wasn’t for them.

To my friends Mihaela & Armin, here are a few pics from your day as we continue to process the rest. Enjoy!

Your Friend, Leon

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Kayla and Brent Married. Gallucci Winery Wedding

Kayla and Brent’s winter engagement shoot was one that I’ll never forget because of the freezing cold weather that day… (when they say… anything for the shot… that was them... so awesome). The perfect tradeoff was on their wedding day, it was a complete 180… hot and sunny.

I started off at Kayla’s home in the morning where her and her bridesmaids were all getting their hair and make up done. Kayla is pretty photogenic... so no doubt she looked great that day and in every pic. They lived pretty close to Gallucci Winery and this was the chosen spot for Brent and Kayla’s first look and for the formals pictures. Brent looked solid when I met him at the Gallucci and his reaction to the reveal was awesome. If you guys have a chance, check out the same day edit shot by our friend at Norris Films: https://vimeo.com/140496113

Before heading to the venue, we stopped off at a personal fav spot of mine (where I take our daughter all the time for pics) to grab a few shot. The night’s event went perfectly and to my surprise, their first dance was pretty spectacular.. totally nailed it.

Before we get into the pics, I want to thank my friend Chris Chan for shooting this event with me and also Norris and his team… as it’s always fun times working together. To my friends Kayla and Brent, thanks so much for having me capture your big day. Here are some pics we chose to showcase your amazing day as we continue to edit the rest. Thanks!

Your Friend, Leon

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HK to the Toronto, Elaine & Ron’s Married. Grand Luxe Wedding

I think in total, I had 2 email communications regarding Elaine and Ron’s wedding throughout the year leading up to their wedding day. In normal circumstances this lack of communication would be stressful for both parties but to be fair, I know Ron’s side of the family very well… and vice versa…as I was lucky enough to capture Sandy’s (Ron’s sister) wedding. Sandy and her family played a big part in the planning of this wedding, since both Ron and Elaine reside in HK and only flew in the week of their wedding. On that note, I’ll echo what was said in all of the speeches that day – Sandy – you did such an amazing job.

I met Elaine for the first time on their wedding day and talk about a wonderful, kind, easygoing person – honestly a perfect match together. Both their easygoing personalities made this day so easy and fun to capture us. Our day started off at the Sheraton on hwy 7 (which we totally digged the interior space for pics) and we moved over to Unionville Main street for formal pics with the wedding party. I made the bridal part first do a detour to a spot near my house that I always wanted to use with Alexis and Gi. Afterwards we headed back to the Grand Luxe for the ceremony and an awesome night. Our friends at Ryan Buan Productions killed it on their same day edit video... Check out their video on this link: https://vimeo.com/142021739 so good.

I want to thank my second lead Kevin Chan for his craft and shooting this event with me. To our friends at Ryan Buan Productions, always awesome working as a team together. To Sandy.. this blog wouldn’t happen without your trust in us. Thank you always for your years of support and you did such an amazing job again. To Elaine and Ron, congrats again and thank you both so much for having us capture your big day. So good meeting and seeing you guys again! Here are a few pics we selected to showcase your day.

Your Friend, Leon

Cinematographers – Ryan Buan Productions

Second lead photographer – Kevin Chan

Best juice drink in the world - Sannas Farmacia

Venue & Ceremony – Grand Luxe

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